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Some Encouragement for August

Well, it's officially August and here in Kansas that equates to very warm weather. This year, however, has been unseasonably hot and I would be okay with a few days in August that registered under 100 on the mercury!

August is the month when I finalize my homeschool prep for the upcoming year. And this August is the month we will move our son to Wheaton, Il. for his freshman year of college. My homeschool planning has been combined with college planning. For the first time in my history as a mom, I've found myself buying items for his dorm room along with homeschool supplies.

And yes, it has made me consider how quickly the time has gone by. It really wasn't that long ago that my husband and I were choosing a name for our soon-to-be-born son. We had no idea he would be our only son, and that we would have four daughters by the time our first born was seven. We did not know we would be a homeschool family. I could not have imagined all the twists and turns our lives would take during our first 20 years of marriage. But God knew, and that is enormously comforting to me. (BTW, we did end up with a name for our son - Gage Kennedy Burt - Gage means "strong, true and brave" and Kennedy is an Irish name that embraces my heritage; both names fit him perfectly).

I've shared before that part of my summer routine is to seek the Lord's will for the upcoming academic year and ask Him to lead me to some Bible verses that will sustain me over the next 9 or 10 months. Some summers I only find one or two verses, but this summer I have been blessed with a whole lot of them! What a gift from the Lord - during this time of great transition in our homeschool, and a time of happiness mingled with sadness for me as a mother, He has graciously given me an abundance of comfort from His Word. I'd like to share a few of those verses with my fellow homeschooling moms.

Colossians 3:15 - "And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful."

Proverbs 15:15 - "But the cheerful heart has a continual feast."

Hebrews 6:10 - "For God is not unfair. He will not forget how hard you have worked for Him and how you have shown your love to Him by caring for other Christians, as you still do."

Ezekiel 37:14 - "I will put my spirit in you, and you will live and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I am the Lord. You will see that I have done everything just as I promised. I, the Lord, have spoken."

1 John 3:19 (in part) - "...we set our hearts at rest in His presence."

John 1:14b - "He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness."

Philippians 3:1a - "Whatever happens...may the Lord give you joy."

Proverbs 13:12 - "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true, there is life and joy.

Hosea 6:3 - "Let us acknowledge the Lord, let us press on to acknowledge Him."

Nehemiah 8:10 - "The joy of the Lord is your strength."

Hebrews 6:15 - "Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised."
These verses are just a sampling of ways the Lord has used His Word to comfort, encourage and prepare me this summer. So while it has been stiflingly hot outside, I have been more refreshed in the Lord's presence than if I were sitting near a stream enjoying a cool breeze. His Word is Living and Active and I am so thankful for it!

Be blessed this warm August and may the Lord encourage and bless you in your homeschool preparations!

Day 106 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

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